Bring Nature Indoors: 3 Easy Trees for Apartment Living

Love nature, plants, and flowers, but live on the fifth floor of an apartment building in the heart of an urban area? Don't worry. It turns out that nowadays, besides beautiful potted plants, you can also grow trees indoors. While not every tree is suitable for home environments, there are types that integrate wonderfully into a living room, office, or even a bedroom.

And if you're wondering why bring a tree inside the house, the reason is simple. Beyond the natural atmosphere a tree brings, it can serve as a design element, just like any other decorative addition. Combine this with the refreshing ambiance a tree creates indoors, and you've got a dose of vitality so often missing in our urban spaces.

How to Choose the Right Tree for Your Home

• Living Conditions

When choosing a tree for your home, consider its light and humidity requirements, and the potential size it might reach. Even an indoor tree can grow up to 10 feet, which could be a problem if you don't have high ceilings.

• Do You Have the Time?

Additionally, think about how much time you have, if any, to care for it. If you don't have time for daily watering, look for a tree that's drought-tolerant. And what about lighting? If your home is relatively dark, seek out trees that don't need much light. Some trees are demanding, requiring lots of light and water, while others adapt to almost any living condition.

Here are 3 low-maintenance trees that would happily settle into your home with minimal care:

1. Rubber Tree

A tropical tree that loves humidity and good airflow. If you have a window and a bit of spare space in the bathroom, the Rubber Tree would love to nest there in a large pot. Once a month, wipe its leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust. For an extra treat, add a special fertilizer from the nursery every two weeks. This will make its beautiful leaves reach their maximum size. As for light and watering, the Rubber Tree appreciates light and moist soil, and thrives in temperatures ranging from 50-77°F.

2. Money Tree

Beyond its promising name, this is the lowest-maintenance tree on the list, making it perfect for anyone unsure about how to care for an indoor tree. It's a sculptural-looking tree that only needs watering every few weeks. The Money Tree enjoys sitting by a window with bright light, and even if its soil dries between waterings, it holds up well. In terms of temperature, it's not picky, and even if your room gets chilly in the winter, it will endure. Since it’s a dwarf tree with a maximum height of just over 3 feet, it's perfect for a tabletop next to your computer or even on a bedside table.

3. Parlor Palm

Looking for a tree for a spacious but not very bright living room? You've found it. The Parlor Palm can grow up to 10 feet but will remain quite small indoors. It adds a wonderful tropical vibe with its lush stems. It requires minimal watering twice a week, and if treated with suitable fertilizer from the nursery, it will thank you with larger and more abundant leaves. When it comes to irrigation, the palm prefers dry soil over overwatering. How do you know when to water? Stick your finger an inch into the soil. Does it come out dry? Your Parlor Palm is thirsty. The Parlor Palm is a preferred choice for wide spaces that do not receive much light, which is why you'll often find it in offices and clinics.

Of course, there are other trees suitable for indoor growing. Some are great for balconies, and some, as mentioned, are excellent for living rooms or bedrooms. To choose the right tree, consider consulting your local nursery for a personal recommendation to bring a little nature into your home. Good luck.